Children detected with hearing loss much earlier

Media release - August 13, 2010

Children detected with hearing loss much earlier

Children are being diagnosed with hearing loss much earlier than before thanks to the rollout of newborn hearing screening across the country this year. Previously the average age of finding out a child in NZ had a hearing loss was 45 months but now it can be within days of birth.

Problems with Rome Nepia’s hearing were picked up at Taumarunui Hospital soon after his birth and he was later diagnosed as profoundly deaf at Waikato Hospital. While his parents were devastated to discover their son could not hear anything, his mum Sarah says she is extremely grateful that his disability was picked up so early. Rome is now nine months old and received a cochlear implant in June. He receives regular auditory-verbal therapy at The Hearing House, a charitable trust that specialises in teaching deaf children how to talk and listen.

Rome – and other deaf youngsters around the country – will benefit from donations made on Loud Shirt Day, Friday September 17. The two charities that benefit from Loud Shirt Day – The Hearing House and Southern Cochlear Implant Paediatric Programme – need to raise significant funds so they can provide the specialist therapy which helps deaf children with cochlear implants listen and speak like their hearing friends. Register for free at www.loudshirtday.org.nz and we’ll send you a pack with stickers, posters, a banking bag and information about deafness in children and how to make Loud Shirt Day a success at your organisation.

PLUS: Everyone who registers their school or company to take part in Loud Shirt Day enters a draw to win fantastic prizes, including a trip to Queenstown, books and soundfield systems for schools, and a Nikon camera. Loud Shirt Day’s star sponsor is Telecom. Other supporters include New Zealand Couriers, ASB Bank, The Langham Auckland, TV3, Radio Network, Taylormade Media, and Seven Ltd.
If you want to know more about Loud Shirt Day or to run a story about a child with a cochlear implant who lives in your media outlet’s catchment area, please contact: Mary Jane Boland, Fundraising and Communications Manager, The Hearing House.

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